Discussions of Heathen shamanic, magic, and divination practices in a modern context. GOTW promotes and welcomes inclusive Heathenry and stands against racist and bigoted ideals & practices. Supporting Declaration 127.

Episode 14 welcomes Author, Seeress, Editor (and more) Diana Paxson to discuss her latest book, Odin: Ecstacy, Runes, and Norse Magic. While in Germany prior to this episode, I had the pleassure of spending a week with Diana and 6 other people as we traveled around central Germany to visit sacred and historical sites. We took a moment after a day of walking around Bronze Age grave mounds to talk about the book and the process leading to its writing. Diana Paxson's website can be found here.

A podcast will follow up about the international conference, Frith Forge, I attended as well as the tour.

The Christmas Oracle by John Hyatt and art by Vinnora. The Christmas Oracle is a 35 deck depicting scenes associated with the memories of holidays in North America. Based on those traditions, this divination deck will give you magical insights from the holiday season with its birght, colorful art. Deck includes cards with meanings, 3 spreads and a blank card to add something special of your own.

Firth Forge. An international conference that occured in Petzow, Germany in October 2017 to bring European and American Heathen/Asatru organizations together. The topics of the conference were building relationships across the the Atlantic to continue inclusive heathenry and form strong alliances. The conference was hosted by The Troth and Verein für Germanisches Heidentum.

Odin: Ecstasy, Runes, and Norse Magic by Diana L. Paxson is now available. check with your local metaphysical shop to see if they can order it from Weiser (support them when you can) or order from Weiser Books or your favorite online seller.

Runes of the Northern Lights by Paola Tartara. Rune deck with Runes depicted in a delightful retro style. Beautifully colored. This deckis now available and can be ordered from Llewellyn by your local book shop. I have this deck and will be doing an audio and YouTube review.

Völuspá cd by Tonya Threet is now available. Tonya sets stanzas of the Völuspá to music. I have a copy of this and really enjoy it. Tonya will be on an upcoming episode. Look for her on Facebook at Tonya Threet or email Tonyathreet09@gmail.com or by visiting Etsy shop: FeniksShop

Housekeeping:

Please leave feedback on iTunes. This helps the podcast to be found easier.

Vanir coins still available for $10 (includes domestic shipping)

Interested in a rune consultation or bindrune? Email me for availabilty and pricing.

Episode 13 welcomes Alaric Albertsson and Taren David Martin to the Wyrd hall. We discuss Anglo-Saxon Heathenry, Alaric's re-release of his book, A Handbook of Saxon Sorcery & Magic, and the Martin Rune Deck, an Anglo-Saxon rune set created by Alaric and Tarin.

Production note: we had feedback on a microphone that we could not adjust. We continued on and I tried to minimize it as much as possible (many hours of post-production). I hope that I got it to a point where you can hear and understand Alaric well enough. Please forgive the tech difficulties.

A Handbook of Saxon Sorcery & Magic: Wyrdworking, Rune Craft, Divination & Wortcunning by Alaric Albertsson. This is a re-release of his earlier work Wyrdworking which is out of print. Book shops can order from Llewellyn (support your local shop) or you can order from your online retailer.

Martin Anglo-Saxon Rune Deck: A 33 card deck featuring the Anglo-Saxon runes with artwork by Taren Martin. Deck comes with a booklet with description and rune poem by Alaric Albertsson. However,the runes are fully described in Alaric's book A Handbook of Saxon Sorcery & Magic. The two are great companions.

Völuspá cd by Tonya Threet is now available. Tonya sets stanzas of the Völuspá to music. I've heard samples (one featured on Episode 11) and think it will be a really good album. I'm looking forward to my copy. Look for her on Facebook at Tonya Threet or email Tonyathreet09@gmail.com.

Odin: Ecstasy, Runes, and Norse Magic by Diana L. Paxson is now available. check with your local metaphysical shop to see if they can order it from Weiser (support them when you can) or order from Weiser Books or your favorite online seller.

Runes of the Northern Lights by Paola Tartara. Rune deck with Runes depicted in a delightful retro style. Beautifully colored. This deck will be available October 2017 and can also be ordered from Llewellyn by your local book shop. I will be doing a deck review of this.

Housekeeping:

Please leave feedback on iTunes. This helps the podcast to be found easier.

Vanir coins still available for $10 (includes domestic shipping)

Hauk CDs 4 for $20 - contact Gifts of the Wyrd. Or you can download Hauk or Black Hat Society via iTunes or Hauk's website. Active duty military Heathens: We'd like to send you copies to support you while deployed. Please email with your proper APO/FPO address for your free cds.

Interested in a rune consultation or bindrune? Email me for availabilty and pricing.

This episode I speak with Victoria who started and maintains Freya Prayer Day. Victoria shares about why she created Freya Prayer Day, her relationship with Freya, and about her practice in general. And we have a nice time as friends chatting about the Goddess Whom we love and Who has called us to her fold.

Please use the #FreyaPrayerDay when you post about it on Social Media and to find other conversations about past days via Twitter and other outlets. You can sign up for the monthly Freya Prayer Day newsletter at Victoria's blog: Lion & Dragonfly. Follow her on Twitter: @liondragonfly and Facebook: @FreyaPrayerDay and emailFreyaPrayerDay@gmail.com.

Frith Forge 2017: an international conference among inclusive Asatru/Heathen organizations and indivuals sponsored by the Troth. 6-8 October near Berlin, Germany. Registration open until 19 Sept. Additional information on the Facebook event page.

Following Frith Forge is a sacred sites tour of Germany. Tour leaves from Frith Forge and tours around Germany 8-14 October. Visit website for additional information.

Völuspá cd by Tonya Threet is now available. Tonya sets stanzas of the Völuspá to music. I've heard samples (one featured on Episode 11) and think it will be a really good album. I'm looking forward to my copy. Look for her on Facebook at Tonya Threet.

Odin: Ecstasy, Runes, and Norse Magic by Diana L. Paxson is now available. check with your local metaphysical shop to see if they can order it from Weiser (support them when you can) or order from Weiser Books or your favorite online seller.

Released on September 8 is A Handbook of Saxon Sorcery & Magic: Wyrdworking, Rune Craft, Divination & Wortcunning by Alaric Albertsson. This is a re-release of his earlier work Wyrdworking which is out of print. Book shops can order from Llewellyn (support your local shop) or you can order from your online retailer. Alaric and Taren Martin (creators of the Martin Anglo-Saxon Rune Deck will be guests on an upcoming episode).

Runes of the Northern Lights by Paola Tartara. Rune deck with Runes depicted in a delightful retro style. Beautifully colored. This deck will be available October 2017.

Housekeeping:

Please leave feedback on iTunes. This helps the podcast to be found easier.

Vanir coins still available for $10 (includes domestic shipping)

Hauk CDs 4 for $20 - contact Gifts of the Wyrd. Or you can download Hauk or Black Hat Society via iTunes or Hauk's website. Active duty military Heathens: We'd like to send you copies to support you while deployed. Please email with your proper APO/FPO address for your free cds.

Interested in a rune consultation or bindrune? Email me for availabilty and pricing.

And we're back. After a 6 month hiatus, I'm pleased to be recording the podcast again. It's been a hectic spring and beginning of summer with computer issues, travel, and family things to work out. So it has delayed the timing and ability to record. But things have settled glad to ge the podcast going.

A huge note of thanks to Xander Folmer of Hughinn's Heathen Hof for the amazing logo and banners created for Gifts of the Wyrd. They are amazing and beautiful. I am really pleased with the image and working with him is amazing. Contact Xan for graphic design ideas and work you may need.

This episode we get caught up and comment about issues within the Heathen community regarding some groups choosing to make their Heathenry exclusive to those who do not fit their vision of a white, heterosexual, of certain European heritage, or other ways to exclude on immutable traits. Gifts of the Wyrd does not engage in that and stands by an inclusive Heathen practice with many other amazing groups and people. Together we can create safe spaces for people to learn, grow, worship, fellowship, and find community and allies.

Review of the Viking Oracle: The Viking Oracle is by Stacey Demarco with artwork by Jimmy Manton and published by Blue Angel Publishing.

After a little catch up session, I review the Viking Oracle. This will be a long episode, so it's ok to take some breaks at the natural stopping poings. About 25 minutes in or so will start the review. The next stopping point will be at about 43 minutes in with a music piece. Then finish out the remaining 40 minutes or so with discussion about the oracle deck. The deck review will be in three parts.

Introduction to the deck and artwork overall, the runes of the deck and the oracle part of the deck.

Intro/out: Five for Freya from Apple Blossoms and Abandoned Tracks - 2014 by Hauk

Voluspa 4 & 5 by Tonya Threet from the forthcoming album Voluspa. See her page on Facebook and sample pieces on Soundcloud. Thanks for letting me play this piece.

Notes: Rune deck recommendations.

Runes of Yggdrasil by Freya Aswynn. This is a wonderful Elder Futhark rune deck featuring art by Freya. It was released in limited editions. Contact Freya directly via her website or via The Atlantis Bookshop for availability.

Power of the Runes by Voenix. great images that evoke the power of the Elder Futhark.

Runes of the Northern Lights by Paola Tartara. Rune symbols in a delightful retro style. Beautifully colored. This deck will be available October 2017.

(Power of the Runes and Runes of the Northern Lights are available through order at your local metaphysical shop. Please support your local shop if possible and purchase locally. If this is not possible, they are available on A to Z).

If you would a Vanir Challenge coin please contact Jan via the email above. The coin has a 9 bristled boar on one side representing the Vanir and a prosperity bindrune on the other created by host Jan Tjeerd. $10 which will pay for manufacturing and proceeds support the podcast and other inclusive Heathen organizations. (image of one side of the coin shown).

If you are interested in a special deal of 4 of Hauk's CDs for $20 - contact Gifts of the Wyrd. Or you can download Hauk or Black Hat Society via iTunes or Hauk's website. Active duty military Heathens: We'd like to send you copies to support you while deployed. Please email with your proper APO/FPO address for your free cds.

Music: All music selections on this podcast are written, produced, and copywritten by their respective creators/owners. They are used with permission.

Intro: To Hear the Trumpets Call from the album of the same name by Hauk. www.haukmusic.com; hauk.bandcamp.com

Outgoing: Ravens Wings from the album No Mercy by Hauk.

Please visit the websites of the artists and support their music.

If you are interested in a Vanir Challenge coin please contact Jan via the email above. The coin has a 9 bristled boar on one side representing the Vanir and a prosperity bindrune on the other created by host Jan Tjeerd. $10 which will pay for manufacturing and proceeds support the podcast and other inclusive Heathen organizations. (image of one side of the coin shown)

If you are interested in a special deal of 4 of Hauk's CDs for $25 - contact Gifts of the Wyrd. Or you can download Hauk or Black Hat Society via iTunes or Hauk's website.

Music: All music selections on this podcast are written, produced, and copywritten by their respective creators/owners. They are used with permission.

Intro: Shores of Norway from the album Love Songs, Lamentations and Lifthrasir by Hauk. www.haukmusic.com; hauk.bandcamp.com

Outgoing: To Hear the Trumpets Call from the album of the same name by Hauk.

Please visit the websites of the artists and support their music.

If you are interested in a Vanir Challenge coin please contact Jan via the email above. The coin has a 9 bristled boar on one side representing the Vanir and a prosperity bindrune on the other created by host Jan Tjeerd. $10 which will pay for manufacturing and proceeds support the podcast and other inclusive Heathen organizations.

If you are interested in a special deal of 4 of Hauk's CDs for $25 - contact Gifts of the Wyrd. Or download via iTunes or Hauk's website.

Welcome to episode 9 of Gifts of the Wyrd. Thank you for your patience for this episode. Jan talks about Yule. Old traditions and new. Adapting traditions to modern practice or making new Yule traditions that are right for you and your family today.

A traditional song to sing around an apple or adapt to another fruit or nut bearing tree. (I have changed only a couple words of the text to honor the Gods and to make it inclusive to all who will sing.).

Out going: Apple Wassail from the CD 'Wassail' (FECD125) by John Kirkpatrick and others used by permission of Fellside Recordings. www.fellside.com

Please visit the websites of the artists and support their music.

If you are interested in a Vanir Challenge coin please contact Jan via the email above. The coin has a 9 bristled boar on one side representing the Vanir and a prosperity bindrune on the other created by host Jan Tjeerd. $10 which will pay for manufacturing and proceeds support the podcast and other inclusive Heathen organizations.

Welcome to episode 8. Thank you for joining us. This episode Laine and I talk about Heathenry in general. We touch on 3 short topics that we think are important to Heathen practice.

1) Inclusive vs exclusive Heathenry. Recently a prominent Asatru organization specified the qualifications for their membership – white, straight, and “family” oriented. We discuss the importance of inclusivity and welcoming people of all races, orientation, gender identity, abilities, and cultural backgrounds to worship and work with the Gods.

2) Localizing your Heathenry. Develop practices and traditions based on where you are and the natural cycle of events that happen around you. This may mean doing things at slightly different times than other regions do as well as honoring the natural events that occur.

3) Writing prayer devotionals and poetry/praise to the Gods and Goddesses. Ever seen that really neat poem or prayer as part of a ritual in a book. Or as part of a ‘book of prayer’? We encourage you to make your own. Start with just a few lines and add more if you like. This is your gift to the Gods – sharing with others is up to you. What is key to remember, is that this is your connection to the God or Goddess you write the piece for.

Thanks for listening.

Follow us on Twitter @WyrdGifts. Email feedback to GiftsoftheWyrd@gmail.com.

Welcome to episode 7. Jan and Laine speak with Ember Cooke of The Redwood Vanatru Tradition. Ember serves the Vanir - Freyja, Freyr, and Their kin - as a priestess, minister, teacher, bard, artist, medium, and witch. Or to put it the Heathen way, as a gythia, galdrakona, and seidhkona.

Rune for this episode: Berkano

For information about The Redwood Vanatru Tradition, please look at Ember's Blog, Ember Voices. There she has several articles about the tradition. If you have any other questions, send her a message, she is happy to discuss.

Links: (right click to open in a new window)

Ember invites listeners to check out the online shrines to the Vanir at Northern Paganism.

If you would like to obtain some of Ember's voice recordings of song she has written to the Gods, Bindrunes, Tarot, or other work - please contact her through her Patreon account.

Note: There was a bit of a technical issue. I apologize for the sound quality and any sound variations. I tried to even it out as best as possible. I hope that it will still play well enough and you can hear the podcast. I hope to get this worked out for future interviews with guests. Thank you for your patience.

Follow us on Twitter @WyrdGifts. Email feedback to GiftsoftheWyrd@gmail.com.

This episode we interview the newly elected Steersman of The Troth, Robert L. Schreiwer. The Troth is open to all who seek to know and to honor the Gods, ancestors, and values of the Germanic Heathen traditions, regardless of gender, race, nationality or sexual orientation.

Join us as Rob shares his excitement at working with the organization in his new role and to continue to provide a welcome place of Heathen practice.